Mirko Cro Cop(left) will face Roy Nelson at UFC 137

The UFC 137 event will feature a heavyweight matchup between MMA veterans Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson in a fight that will likely determine the fighting future of both fighters as both are coming off consecutive losses. Let’s see how this one shakes out.

Roy Nelson comes into this fight with a career record of (15-6) with 8 wins via TKO/KO and 5 wins via submission. Nelson was last seen in action losing a lackluster decision against Frank Mir at UFC 130. Nelson allegedly fought with the flu which resulted in his gassing really early in the fight. Nelson has good power in his hands, a great chin, and an underrated ground game for a heavyweight his size.

Mirko Cro Cop comes into this fight with a career record of (27-9) with 20 wins via TKO/KO and 2 technical submission wins. Cro Cop was last seen in action getting knocked out by Brendan Schaub at UFC 128 earlier this year. Cro Cop was actually competitive in the fight breaking the nose of the younger Schaub and landing several power strikes. Cro Cop’s skills have eroded over the years as he was once one of the most feared strikers in the game. However, he has lost a great deal of his explosiveness and basically throws a straight left punch and either a left or right headkick. His chin has also suffered from several brutal knockouts over the past 4 years or so.

Bet on Fighting has Roy Nelson as the betting favorite at (-280) and Cro Cop as the underdog at (+220).

I’d have to say I agree with those odds. Nelson has a great chin and Cro Cop isn’t the striker that he used to be. Add that Nelson has big power in his strikes and I could easily see him clipping Cro Cop with a big right hand sending the PRIDE legend to the canvas like a lifeless sack of rocks. If Nelson comes into this fight in shape he should be able to get this win by pressuring Cro Cop and taking him out of his comfort zone.

If Mirko is to win this fight he’s going to have to outstrike Nelson all night long and Mirko has shown a tendency to become hesitant to engauge and throw strikes when he has the opportunity. His best bet is to hope that Nelson tires as the fight goes on and that could allow him to land strikes more effectively and potentially put Nelson away.

I think Nelson takes Cro Cop out via KO and probably puts the final nail in the coffin of the PRIDE legend.

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